Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County

www.kitsaphabitat.org

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works with people from all walks of life to build simple, decent housing in partnership with low income families.

Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County’s Goal:

The ultimate goal of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from Kitsap County by constructing and building adequate and basic housing for people in need.  All of our words and actions are for the ultimate purpose of putting shelter on the hearts and minds of people in such a powerful way that poverty housing and homelessness become socially, politically, and religiously unacceptable.

Needs Statement:

At Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County we believe that no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and having a roof over their head.  Over the last five years house prices have skyrocketed putting the median price of a home at over $292,000.  The median family income in the county is 65,700.  It is extremely difficult for a family who has a normal income to buy a house, let alone a family that makes 25%-50% of the median income.  According to our calculations one of the families we serve would have to use 80% of their income to make payments on a 30-year mortgage for $292,000.

In addition to simple financial statistics the reality of the housing situation demands a response.  In Kitsap County there are 763 homes lacking complete plumbing facilities as well as 114 homes that have no heat.  In Bremerton home ownership is nearly non-existent among low-income families.  Of the families living under the poverty line, 88% are renters.  Habitat believes that God has called them to respond to this housing crisis.